The Skills Conference 2015 attracts 400 education professionals

The Skills Conference 2015 attracts 400 education professionals

The Skills Conference returned for a seventh year on Tuesday (3 March) at The King Power Stadium in Leicester.

The event, hosted by bksb, is one of the largest education conferences in the country, and gives delegates the chance to hear from some of the country’s most influential and well-respected professionals within the education sector.

bksb Managing Director, Harvinder Atwal opened the Conference, welcoming delegates and encouraged them to use the day to debate the ongoing issues within the education sector.

Dame Asha Khemka, Principal and Chief Executive, West Nottinghamshire College then took to the stage, reiterating the need for English and maths qualifications to become a fundamental part in all study programmes.

Keynote speakers included Marina Gaze, Deputy Director for Further Education and Skills, Ofsted, Naomi Nicholson, Director of Strategic Relationships, Ofqual, Stewart Segal, Chief Executive, AELP, Vic Goddard, Principal, Passmores Academy and Star of Educating Essex, and Beej Kaczmarczyk, Director, Learning Curve Group. All reiterated the need for an improvement in the delivery of English and maths, and ensuring everyone is both literate and numerate.

Delegates were also given the chance to ask the Keynote panel questions relating to their specific circumstances during an ‘ideas exchange’ session. This sparked debates about the best way to assess students, as well as how to ensure that what is taught is correct and of a high standard.

The afternoon offered delegates the chance to attend pre-booked workshops in rooms around the venue. Aim Awards, Walsall College, and Castaway Education we among the workshop hosts, which also gave delegates the chance to network and share ideas.

bksb Managing Director Harvinder Atwal said: “English, maths and IT skills are so fundamental to all individuals, shaping their confidence, educational success and career prospects. We believe passionately that their importance, particularly through Functional Skills and GCSEs, should be at the top of the national education agenda and this is a view shared by Government, regulatory bodies and practitioners themselves. The incredible turnout today reflects this, and we are delighted that The Skills Conference continues to act as such a wonderful catalyst for debate and knowledge sharing between education providers from around the country.”